525 vs 800 steering box

[hotrodalex]

I've got an 800 series on that car right now and it's pretty decent (from an '85 Monte Carlo), but I don't think the Saginaw power steering pump likes the 5* caster. So I've got a few options - upgrade to the newer pump style and brackets, or just get a manual box. How does the slop and feel of the 525 compare to the power boxes? And is it excessively heavy at slow speeds?

I've driven a VW Beetle without power steering and don't mind it at all, but it doesn't have a V8 riding up front.

[David Pozzi]

You just need to tweak the pump pressure and flow, which is the outlet fitting and pressure "spool" valve in the pump. Which easily come out. What problems are you seeing? Switching to another PS box won't help.

[hotrodalex]

Under ~5 mph it'll groan and squeal. The outlet leaks a little bit, so I'm a little wary on increasing the pressure and making that worse.

I would just be switching to a new pump (type 2) or getting rid of the pump altogether by installing a manual 525 box. Borgeson sells those, but it appears 16:1 is the best ratio you can get, which doesn't seem ideal for autocross.